The latest technology and life sciences news in WRALTechWire’s Bulldog Blog’s roundup:

  • Amazon, Google to keynote ChannelAdvisor conference

MORRISVILLE –ChannelAdvisor has landed representatives from Amazon and Google as keynote speakers for its e-commerce conference in Las Vegas next month.

At the 2014 Catalyst Americas conference, Senior Vice President of Amazon Seller Services Sebastian Gunningham will participate in a fireside chat with ChannelAdvisor CEO Scot Wingo on Wednesday, March 12, at 8:30 a.m. Google Director of Product Management Vineet Buch will join Wingo on stage on Tuesday, March 11, at 4:15 p.m.

“The theme of Catalyst this year is ‘E-commerce. Accelerated,’” said Wingo. “Amazon and Google are driving tremendous changes within the world of e-commerce, and we are excited to welcome them back to the main stage to present their visions of where online retail is going.”

  • Merz wins anti-aging award

GREENSBORO – A product from Merz Aesthetics has been awarded an Anti-Aging and Beauty Trophy at the most recent Anti-Aging Medicine European Congress.

Merz Aesthetics is a division of Merz North America, the U.S. affiliate of Germany-based Merz Pharma Group.Merz’s Radiesse was awarded the trophy for “best filler” at the conference. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Radiesse in 2006 to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds.

The recipients of this year’s Anti-Aging and Beauty Trophies at the Anti-Aging Medicine European Congress 2013 were selected by a jury of 27 physicians from around the world specializing in aesthetic dermatology, plastic surgery and anti-aging medicine. Entries were submitted for consideration by product manufacturers and included clinical data as well as detailed product descriptions.

  • Bioventus hires marketing VP

DURHAM – Orthopedic healing company Bioventus has hired Allison London Brown as it’s new vice president of global marketing.
London Brown is now responsible for developing global strategic marketing plans, including evaluating new market opportunities, and for management of the current product portfolio. She is
is based at Bioventus’ Durham headquarters and she reports directly to Bioventus CEO Anthony Bihl.

In a 17-year career, London Brown has launched more than 80 new products, brands and services for leading global healthcare companies. She worked for 10 years at the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, two years at GE Healthcare and two years at Healthways Inc. Her most recent experience includes CEO of Aegis Women’s Health Technologies, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Commercial Officer at Stanley Healthcare Solutions (division of Stanley/Black & Decker), and a Senior Advisor, Board Member and Co-Founder of various start-up companies.

  • Japan net retailer Rakuten to buy Viber for $900M

TOKYO – Japan’s Rakuten Inc. is buying Cyprus-based Viber Media, which operates a popular Internet phone application, for $900 million, fortifying the online retailer’s social networking footprint.

The Tokyo-based company said Friday it sees Viber, with 280 million global users, as a key platform as people are moving from TVs and computers to mobile devices to consume and enjoy content.

Rakuten, which competes with Amazon.com and Yahoo, has been successful with online shopping in Japan, where it is the top Internet retailer.

But it is eager to expand in scope as well as outside Japan.

Rakuten already has under its wing online scrapbook site Pinterest and Canadian e-book maker Kobo Inc.